Most people view archaeology as a search for objects, but the professional understands that it is actually a search for context. An artifact without its documented PN (Provenience Number) or a Top Depth reading is just a curiosity; an artifact linked to a verified field strat and a specific QUAD is a historical data point. In high-stakes research, the "paperwork" is as critical as the trowel, and a digital field entry system is the only way to ensure the integrity of the record from the pit to the lab.

The Ritual of Provenience

The "NEARC pn database" is designed for the field archaeologist who treats every unit as a multi-dimensional forensic volume. It moves your data capture from muddy field notebooks to a structured, audit-ready database. By standardizing the capture of the Project name and the specific Site number, the system ensures that every bags count is anchored to a precise physical coordinate. It acknowledges that knowing the Transect or Coord # is vital for the eventual spatial reconstruction of the entire site.

The Blueprint: Excavation Architecture

The structure of this library is built to handle the technical density of systematic excavation.

  • Stratigraphic Forensics: Dedicated fields for Top Depth and Bottom Depth (in meters) work with the field strat and Level fields to map the vertical lineage of the site.
  • Spatial Identity: The template uses a comprehensive coordinate system, tracking Pit or Coord #, QUAD (e.g., NE, SW), and SPUX markers to pin recovery points with surgical precision.
  • Recovery Triage: Fields for screen size and the specific Recovery method ensure that your collection bias is documented, while the Field Description multichoice (from CERM to LFCR) provides a high-speed taxonomy for on-site classification.

Usage Scenarios: The Field-to-Lab Hand-off

You are finishing a week of excavation on a remote hillside. Instead of spending your Sunday night transcribing notes, you sync your Memento library. You filter by PN to generate a master manifest of all recovered artifacts. You show the chief the documented Field Counts for the day and confirm the number of bags processed. When the bags arrive at the laboratory, the analyst opens the record and instantly sees the N wall and S wall measurements for the in situ items. The digital archive has turned a fragmented process into a continuous flow of verified information.

Power Feature: Specific Material Taxonomy

By utilize Memento’s Field Description codes—such as LDEB (Lithic Debitage), PTRY (Pottery), and FEAS (Features)—the template transforms a list of items into a professional-grade research dataset. This taxonomy ensures that your field data is technically precise and ready for statistical analysis without further cleaning. It turns a collection of soil and stones into a documented narrative of human history, ensuring that your research is always supported by forensic-grade evidence.